Water in South Asia is far more than a natural resource—it is a geopolitical fault line, a lifeline to millions, and a source of both employment and conflict. At the heart of this complex matrix lies the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a Cold War-era agreement brokered by the World Bank between Pakistan and India in 1960. Long celebrated as a landmark in transboundary water diplomacy, the treaty now teeters on the brink, strained by climate change, population growth, and escalating hostility between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Pakistan, already struggling with an acute water crisis, faces not only external challenges but also the consequences of internal mismanagement. Meanwhile, India has adopted a more aggressive stance regarding its rights over the rivers. With recent developments undermining the spirit of IWT commitments, it is imperative to reassess the treaty’s relevance today and seek forward-looking policies to secure Pakistan’s water future.

The IWT granted India control over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan received rights to the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. This arrangement recognized Pakistan’s downstream dependency and its agricultural reliance on the Indus Basin. For over six decades, the treaty has withstood wars and political tensions, primarily due to its robust dispute-resolution mechanism and apolitical framework.

However, India’s recent unilateral actions mark a significant departure from past norms. In June 2025, India officially declared it would no longer engage with the treaty’s dispute settlement mechanisms, having previously withdrawn from cooperation,........

© The Spine Times